The Russellville Democrat., 1887-02-23
The Senate Passes the Anti
Polygamy Bill.

WASHINGTON, ID. c., Feb. 1S.--Sen
ator Edmunds presented a confer
enee report on the Utah polygamy
! bill in the shape OF substitute Tor
both the senate and house bills. AT
ter long debate the conference re
port was agreed to--yeas, 81, nays,
13.
The bill now goes to the president.
| The first six sections of the bill APP
| ply to prosecution for bigamy and
adultery, and make the wife or hus-
band competent witness, but not
to be compelled to testify. The sew
enth and eighth sections apply to
the powers OF the court of commits
sioners and Of the marshals and dep
uty marshals. The ninth and tenth
sections apply to the marriage cere-
mony. They require certificate
properly authentlcal to be recorded
in the office Of the probate court.
The eleventh section disapproves and
anpuls ali territorial laws recogziz
+ ing the capacity of illegitimate chill
dren to invert or be entitled to any
distributlve share OF the estate of a
fathers. The twelfth section dis
approves and annuls laws, confer
ring jurisdiction on probate courts
with certain exceptions. The
| thirteenth section makes il the duty
of the attorney general of the United
States to institute proceedings to es-
cheat to the United States the prop
erty of corporation obtained or held
in violation OF Sec. of the act of
July, 1862, the proceeds of such es
cheat to be applied to the use and
benefit of the common schools in the
| territory. The fourteenth section
regulates the proceedings in such
cases. The fifteenth section dis
approves and annuls all laws of the
legislative assembly creating or con-
tanning the perpetual emigration
fund company and dissolves that
corporation. The sixteenth section
directs proceedings for the disposi
tion of property and assets of the
emigration fund company-all such
property in excess of debts and law
full cloims is to escheat to the United
States for the benefit of the common
schools in the territory. The sew
enteenth section disapproves and
annuls acts of the legislative as
sembly, Incorporating or providing
for churching Of Jesus Christ or Lat
tel Day Saints, and dissolyes that
corporation. 1t makes it the duty
of the attorney general Of the United
States to institute legal proceedings
to wind up the affairs of the corpo-
ration. The eighteenth section
makes the provision of endowment
of widows who are to have one third
of an income of an estate as their
dover. The nineteenth section gives
to the president the appointment OF
probate judge in each county.
Sec. 20 makes it unlawful for woman
to vote in any election and annuls
the acts of the legislative assembly
which permit female suffrage The
four next sections make provisions
us W lue eltGblOI, anu requires OIL
the voters an oath or confirmation to
support the constitution and obey
laws, especially the anti polygamy
act of March p, 1882, of this act.
Sec. % abolshes the office of terri
torial perintendent of district
schools, and makes it the duty of
the supreme court of the territory TO
appoint commissioner of schools.
Sec. 26 gives to all religious so
cieties, sects and congregations right
to hold, through trustees appointed
by the probate court, real property
for houses of worship and parson
ages. Twenty seventh and last sec
ton annuls all territorial laws for
the organization of militia or for the
creation of the Nauvoo legion, and
gives the legislative as assembly of
Utah power to pass laws for organ.
izing militia subject to the approval
of congress, general officers of mil
tia to be appointed by the governor
of the territory with the advice and
consent of the council.